Tabulating mechanism for printing business machines



March 17, 195,9`

' TABULATING MECHANISM-FOR PRINTING BUSINESS MACHINES 4- C. A. PARKER ETAI.' v

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i TABULATING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING USINESS MACHINES original Filed April 1, 195o 7 sheets-sheet e INVENToRs. D CHAR/.Es H. PARKER Curro/v K. Rn/NEY Marh 17, 1959 C, A, PARKER ETAL 2,877,881

TABULATING MECHANISM FCR PRINTING BUSINESS MACHINES Original Filed AprIl. 1950 '7 Sheets-,Sheet 7 @uw Sm.

SAW

States This invention relates to printing businessmachines particularly of the type which include mechanism for typing, posting, and calculating in carrying out the various diverse phases of bookkeeping, in which the various functions of the machine are adapted for atuomatic control from the paper carriage of the machine. This is a division of our copending application Serial No. 153,392, led on April l, 1950, and entitled Function Control Change Mechanisms, now Patent No. 2,699,893.

Known types of such machines embody a plurality of movable conditioning elements adapted for cooperation with indexing means on the carriage to condition the machine selectively for the sequential performance of various functions at different tabular stop points of the carriage. The various phases of bookkeeping require different tab settings, columnar arrangement, and different sequential operation of the mechanism at different tabulator stop points. The difficulty of changing over the machine each time it is to be used for a different phase of bookkeeping has long been a problem in the art. One practical solution of the problem is presented in the control mechanism of U. S. Patent No. 2,492,887 of December 27, 1949, to C. K. Rainey, which utilizes indexing means adjustable on the carriage to engage and actuate conditioning elements that normally are projected into the path of travel of the carriage-mounted indexing means incident to its reciprocation. The indexing means is arranged in a plurality of different sets that are selectively presented to the conditioning elements by manual rotation of a control member to different positions, each corresponding to a different phase of bookkeeping.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel tabulating mechanism in which the carriage energy in striking a tabulator stop pawl is utilized to sustain the pawl in operative engagement with the carriage until the carriage has positioned itself accurately at the stop point determined by the pawl.

Another object is to provide a novel tabulator mechanism in which the tabulator stop pawl functions also as the margin stop means for the carriage.

A still further object is to provide tabulator mechanism including a single tabulator stop pawl that functions also as a margin stop capable of operation to determine margins within margins selectively at a plurality of zones along the length of the carriage.

Other and incidental objects will be apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view of a complete bookkeeping machine in which the invention is incorporated;

Figure 2 is a top plan view, with portions removed for clearness of detail, illustrating various structures and arrangements of parts which enter into the invention, underlying the area of the carriage C as shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is substantially a side elevation taken from the right hand of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical section substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail-of the mechanism nite atet C with parts in elevation taken substantially on the section l line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 yis a section taken substantially on the line 6 6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 and illustrating the tabulator stop pawl in its normally retracted position;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 and illustrating the tabulator stop pawl in elevated operative position;

Figures 9 and l0 are, respectively, transverse sections through the phase change control member, illustrating. the mounting of margin stop members thereon.

As indicated generally in Figures l and 2, the apparatus essentially comprises a main frame 40 of the general form and structure of a typewriter frame, being provided with a keyboard and having a carriage assembly C mounted on the frame for reciprocation in the usual manner of typewriter and posting machine carriage operation.

The machine is equipped with a bank of front strike type bars 41 operated from keys 42 for front strike visible printing at a point determined by a type guide 43 which forms part of a hammer member 44 that operates to effect a common striking movement against a properly positioned series of adding type bars when they are disposed for printing. The keyboard has the usual spacer 45 and, at the right hand side of the frame, a motor bar 46. On the left hand side of the frame is disposed a tabulator bar 47. The front plate of the frame mounts keys for controlling the functions of calculating mechanism generally indicated at A. These keys at the right hand side of the frame comprise an adding key 48, a total key 49 and, at the left hand side of the frame, a subtract key 51. The type guide 43 establishes the printing point and establishes also the decimal point for item printing in the calculating machine operation. The carriage is provided at its left hand end with a forwardly directed return handle 52 which is substantially of conventional design and which may be rotated to eifect line spacing in the usual manner of such devices.

The carriage is provided with change means manually shiftable to condition the machine for desired sequential operation in accordance with that particular bookkeeping phase in which the machine is currently employed. This phase change mechanism is indicated generally at P and is the same mechanism disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,492,887, December 27, 1949, to Clifton King Rainey. In general, it comprises a shaft 53 mounted for rotation in the carriage end plates 54 under the influence of au operating head or knob 55. The shaft has secured thereto for rotation therewith at desired intervals along its length a series of indexing members 57 on blocks 56. The change control shaft 53 parallels the roll platen 58 and is spaced rearwardly therefrom to overlie a control plate 59 that is mounted on and horizontally across the upper rear of the main frame. This plate serves as a support for a plurality of machine conditioning detents.

An essential part of the machine is embodied in a driven reciprocable element which operates through a defined cycle between limit positions in one of which it is at rest, under the inuence of motor means to accomplish many functions and to effect the positioning and actuation of the Various members and instrumentalities by which the different operations of the associated mechanisms are carried out. This member, herein referred to as an operating frame generally designated at O, provides for the actuation of the various instrumentalities after the machine has been conditioned for their proper sequential operation.

The tabulator mechanism includes a conventional tabulator bar 47 that actuates a pull wire 288 which extends rearwardly in the frame adjacent the left hand side, as shown in Figure 4. The rear end of the wire 288 is f 2,877,881' Patented Mar'. I7, 1959.

hooked for pivotal engagement under a lateral pivot stud 289 carried by a rocker arm 290 that is pivoted for oscillation in a vertical plane on a pintle 291 that is mounted in a depending support 103 rigidly secured at its upper end to an element of the control plate 59. The rocker arm 290 is substantially Y-shaped with the fork of the Y upwardly of the pintle 291 and the shank portion extending rearwardly and downwardly in the normal position of the parts. One fork 293 of the rocker arm which is the lower fork viewed with respect to Figure 4, has a pivotal connection 294 with a link 295 that is pivotally connected at its upper end to a laterally extended lever 296. The lever 296 is pivoted intermediate its ends to oscillate in a vertical plane on a shaft 297 that is journalled for rotation in mounting elements fixed to the under part of the control plate 59. The upper free end of the lever 296 is formed with a flat bearing portion 298 which normally contacts the under face of a bar 299 that extends longitudinally of the carriage assembly and which carries a carriage rack 300. This assembly of rack and bar extends longitudinally of the carriage and is pivoted at each end on the end plates of the carriage so that when the bearing portion 298 is elevated the bar 299 is rocked on its pivot to lift the rack bar 300 out of its normal engagement with the teeth of the pinion 302 which is a part of the conventional escapement assembly indicated generally at 303. When the tabulator bar 47 is manually depressed the pull wire 288 is drawn forwardly to rock the arm 290 on its pintle and depress the link 295 which, in turn, swings the lever 296 on its pivot to lift the bearing portion 298 and release the rack as described.

Concurrently with actuation of the lever 296, mechanism is operated to elevate the tabulator pawl 61, previously described. This mechanism includes a crank 304 that is fixed to the shaft 297 for rotation therewith. The crank 304 lies flatly alongside the lower portion of the lever 296 and carries a laterally directed pin 305 that overrides the upper edge of the lever. This pin anchors one end of a retracting spring 306 which at its other end is secured to a pin 307 on the lever. The normal tension of the spring 306 biases the lever 296 upwardly against the crank pin 305. When the lever is depressed a pull is exerted through the spring 306 which conjointly carries down the crank 304 to rock the shaft 297. This rocking action of the shaft 297 is counterclockwise with respect to Figures 5 and 7.

With reference to Figure 7, which shows the tabulator pawl in normal unlatched position, it will be seen that the shaft 297 has fixed thereon for movement therewith a crank 308 which extends beneath the control plate 59 to the region of the slot in which the pawl 61 is mounted. The free end of the crank 308 is bifurcated to receive in slidable engagement a pin 309 carried by the shank of the pawl and extending laterally therefrom. As the shaft is rocked counterclockwise with respect to Figure 7, engagement of the bifurcated end of crank 308 with the pawl-carried pin will lift the pawl to its elevated position, as shown in Figure 8. Adjustable means 310 is carried by the crank for cooperation with the under face of the control plate to determine the limit of up ward movement of the pawl. The upper end portion of the pawl shank is formed with a lateral enlargement providing a shoulder 311, the edges of which are squared. Normally, in the depressed position of the pawl, the vertical edge of the enlargement is engaged against the adjacent end of the pawl-receiving slot in the control plate. When the pawl rises under the lifting action of the crank 308 mechanism is permitted to function which shifts the pawl longitudinally with respect to the control plate so that the bottom edge of the enlargement 311 overrides and seats upon the upper face of the plate. In this position the pawl is latched against depression.

This shifting mechanism comprises a longitudinally reciprocable bar 312 that is provided with spaced longitudinally disposed slots 313 and 314 which receive laterally therethrough the shaft 297 and a shaft 315, both of which are mounted transversely between a pair of supporting blocks 316 and 31,7 secured to the under face of the control plate longitudinally thereof in forwardly and rearwardly spaced relation relative to the assembly of detents 60--63 shown in Figure 2. Adjacent the right hand end of the block 317 there is provided a member 318 secured to the control plate and which forms a point of anchorage for one end of a retracting spring 319 that is connected at its other end to the adjacent end of the reciprocable bar 312. The spring 319 provides a bias constantly urging the bar 312 to the right, as viewed with respect to Figures 7 and 8. This bar 312 carries in fixed relation a pair of side plates 320 and 321 that are spaced apart longitudinally of the bar to provide a vertical guide channel in which the shank of the pawl 61 is slidable. When the activating force on the shaft 297 and crank 308 is removed, as when an operator releases the tabulator bar, the pawl remains in its latched position by reason of the holding action of the shoulder 311. In this latched position the crank 308 is held in its elevated position and as the crank is fixed to the shaft 297, this shaft is, in turn, anchored against rocking; so that its crank 304, best shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, acts through the stud 305 to hold down the adjacent portion of the rack lifting lever 296. The bearing portion 298 of this lever remains in elevated position holding the rack bar out of engagement with the teeth of the escapement mechanism, so that the carriage is free to move under its draw band actuation until a tabulator stop lug, one of which is shown at 57 in Figure 3, engages the vertical edge of the tip 61 of the pawl. When this engagement occurs the momentum of the carriage acts to shift the pawl to the left so that its shoulder 311 moves out of engagement with the control plate and the pawl is positioned so that it can move downwardly to its unlatched position, as shown in Figure 7, upon actuation by the appropriate mechanism. When the pawl is disposed in its normal unlatched position the left vertical edge of its shank abuts the adjacent vertical edge of the plate 320 which, in turn, has an upstanding portion 320 that lills the space between the edge of the pawl shank and the adjacent end of the pawl-receiving slot in the control plate, see Figure 8. The portion 320' constitutes a reinforcing element which assists in absorbing the striking impact of the carriage-mounted tabulator stop. Usually, when the carriage is moving to carry the tabulator stop into engagement with the pawl, there is a forcible striking action of the tabulator stop against the pawl. The strain thus imparted to the pawl tends to angle the pawl in its guide channel between the plates 320 and 321. This angling strain is transmitted to the walls of the guide channel as a spreading action which is, of course, resisted by the anchorage of these plates with respect to the bar 312. At the same time the strain on the pawl is transmitted through the extension 320 so that the blow is taken up through this extension by the adjacent end of the pawl-receiving slot in the control plate. The presence of this reinforcing portion 320' between the edge of the pawl shank and the adjacent edge of the control plate slot further takes up the striking impact and eliminates any possibility of the pawl-carried pin 309 forcing the link 308 laterally to impart a strain on the mounting of the shaft 297.

When the pawl 61 has been struck by a carriage tabulator stop and is shifted out of its latched engagement with the control plate it is of primary importance that the carriage rack 300 be engaged with the teeth of the escapement pinion 302, in order that the carriage shall be positioned as precisely as possible. Due to the pull of the carriage draw band, the pawl and the upstanding reinforcing portion 320 of its guide plate are forced against the adjacent end of the control plate slot, so that the precise stoppage of the carriage is effected. In the present invention, means is employed that imparts a constant bias to the carriage rack which results in the reengagement of the carriage rack with the escapement pinion simultaneously with downward movement of the pawl 61 to its fully depressed position. This means comprises a pair of springs 322, one at each end of the carriage, connected between a point of anchorage on the carriage and a bracket 324 xed to the rack 300 and its mounting bar 299. The bias of the springs 322 is acting constantly to urge the rack into escapernent-engaging position but its bias is resisted, so long as the pawl 61 is elevated, by the holding action of the elevated portion 298 of the lever 296. When the pawl is latched in its elevated position there can be no actuation of the lever 296 on its fulcrum shaft 297 such as to lift the pin 305 and consequently the crank 304 to rock the shaft 297. This holding action transmitted through the lever 296 would prevent rocking of the shaft 297 through a movement, clockwise with respect to Figures 7 and 8, Suthcient to depress the tabulator pawl. As soon as the impact of the carriage tabulator stop has shifted the pawl 61 so that its latching shoulder 311 disengages the control plate, the full force of the springs 322 is immediately effective to carry down the bearing portion 298 and rock the lever 296 to rock the crank 304 upwardly and, through the medium of the shaft 297, thus immediately pull the pawl down to its normal depressed position. This action of lowering of the pawl and reengagement of the carriage rack with the escapement mechanism occurs simultaneously, so that the carriage is arrested at the precise point desired.

While the tabulator pawl 61 is latched in its elevated position the rocker arm 290 is held in the position to which it is moved by depression of the tabulator bar. When the pawl moves down to its depressed position the chain of mechanisms previously described operates to lift the link 295 and rock the arm 290 on its fulcrum point 291 to restore the rocker arm to its initial position prior to depression of the tabulator bar, as shown in Figure 4. A light spring 325 is connected between a point of anchorage on the block 316 and the high point of the rocker arm 290. The function of this spring is merely to retain the parts against lost motion and loose play, especially when the conventional rack-elevating mechanism of the carriage is manipulated.

The tabulator mechanism, in this embodiment of the invention, is arranged for actuation by cycling movement o fthe operating frame. In furtherance of this actuation the shank of the actuator arm 290 which extends downwardly and rearwardly as shown in Figures 4 and 5 has a laterally directed end portion 326 which is directed inwardly with respect to the frame assembly. As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, this end portion has a cam tip 327 that is angled upwardly and forwardly in diverging relation with respect to the shank of the arm 290. This cam portion 327 normally is disposed in the path of travel -of an abutment 328 mounted on the left hand side plate L of the operating frame. As the operating frame moves forward through the rst half of its cycle the abutment `328 cams against the tip 327 and displaces the entire rocker arm 290 laterally with respect to its support 103. In order to permit this lateral displacement, the pivot stud 291 is passed through the support and through the Vrocker arm and carries an attached washer 329 which anchors one end of a coil expansion spring 330 that bears at its other end against the face of the rocker arm. The spring 330 permits lateral displacement of the rocker arm 290 against the bias of the spring, and when the operating frame-carried abutment 328 passes forwardly beyond the cam tip 327 the bias of the spring returns the arm 290 laterally to its initial position. Upon return movement of the operating frame in the second half of its cycle the abutment 32S engages the tip 327 and rocks the arm 290 on its fulcrum point 291 to accomplish the setting of the tabulator pawl 61 in the same manner as the setting'is accomplished by manual depression of the tabulator bar, as previously described. In the continued rearward movement of the operating frame the abutment 328 moves rearwardly from and disengages the cam tip 327 of the rocker arm and the arm then returns to its initial position in the course of the downward movement of the tabulator pawl, as previously described.

The mechanism thus far described is that shown and described in the Charles A. larker and Clifton K. Rainey Patent No. 2,696,945, dated December 14,1954, and forms no part of the present invention except as it enters into the combination.

The carriage tabulator stop pawl 61 normally occupies a retracted position in which its tip 61', although it extends above the control plate 59, is disposed just beneath and out of the path of travel of the indexing lugs 57. In this position of the tabulator stop pawl its edge portions 311 and 311 are directly in the path of margin stops that are adjustable on the carriage. These margin stops are generally similar to the indexing members 56, and comprise identical mounting blocks 476 (see Figures 9 and l0) adjustably xed to the phase change control shaft 53 and carrying stop lugs 477 so arranged that they can engage only the tabulator stop pawl during travel of the carriage.

A displacing mechanism, see Figures 2 and 5, is based on the shaft 315. This shaft has xed thereto for rotation therewith a pair of radial arms 478 and 479 which extend in parallel spaced relation transversely of the machine beneath the control plate 59. The arm 478 at its free end overrides a lateral stud 480 on the lever 91 which carries the conditioning element 60 of the mechanism for converting the numeral keys 50 of the machine to indexing means for the stop pin box unit of the machine calculating mechanism A. The same end of the arm 478, see Figure 7, normally extends in spaced relation over and above an upwardly angled terminal 481 on the free end of the arm 368 that is xed at its other end to the shaft 297 and which functions to elevate and to pull down the tabulator stop pawl 61 in accordance with rocking movement of the shaft. The arm 479 at its free end overrides a lateral stud 482 on the lever 460 of the subtract conditioning element 62, and also overrides a lateral stud 433 on the line spacer conditioning element 63. When the shaft 315 is rocked counterclockwise relative to Figures 5-8 it acts through the arms 478 and 479 first to pull down the detents 60, 62 and 63 until they are displaced out of the path of movement of the indexing lugs 57 on the carriage. If the shaft 315 be rocked further in the same direction the detents 60, 62 and 63 are further retracted, and the normally depressed tabulator stop pawl 61 is then further depressed when the arm 478 contacts and rides down the terminal 481 of the arm 308. This action carries down all four of the conditioning elements 60-63 out of the'path of travel of not only the indexing lugs 57 on the carriagemounted control shaft 53 but also the margin stops 476 as well, so that the carriage is free to move in either direction without hindrance, and the phase change unit can be rotated without contacting the conditioning elements.

The rock shaft 315 derives its movement from an actuator arm 484 that is rigidly attached thereto at one end and which parallels the support block 316 forwardly thereof beneath the control plate 59.

Means is provided on the carriage assembly for displacing the machine conditioning elements by rocking the shaft 315 independently of its actuation from the function control lever 65. This means comprises a de pressor bar 489 that extends transversely of the machine above the control plate 59 forwardly of and parallel to the phase change control shaft 53. The body of the bar 489 is thin and flat and is dispos-ed in `a vertical plane. As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the bar is received within the slot of a bifurcated member 490 which extends upwardly above the actuator arm 484 and which is rigidly secured to the actuator arm. The bottom edge of the depressor bar 489 bears on the bottom of the slot in the bifurcated member and the bar is adapted to ride freely through the slot of the member 490 during travel of the carriage. The depressor bar extends beneath both end plates 54 of the carriage and projects somewhat beyond each plate at its adjacent end` The bar is spring suspended from the carriage assembly at each end by means of contractile springs 491 which are attached at their lower ends to anchoring studs on the body of the bar and which are attached at their upper ends to bracket elements 492 that are secured to blocks 494 and 495 at tached, respectively, to the end plate 54 at the right hand end of the carriage and to the end plate at the left hand end of the carriage. Further, a supplemental support for the bar is effected through engagement of its bottom edge with the bottom of the slot in the bifurcated member 490. At the right hand end, the depressor bar 489 is provided with a laterally directed lip 496 to provide a handle by which the bar may be shifted longitudinally for independent movement relative to the carriage assembly.

Longitudinal shifting movement of the depressor bar to the right, whether effected manually from the handle 496 or automatically from the rod 52, is utilized to effect a bodily downward movement of the bar against the bias of the springs 491. This downward movement is brought about by the camming action of roller studs 500 which extend laterally from the body of the bar into engagement with inclined cam surfaces 501 and 502, respectively, on the blocks 494 and 49S. As the depressor bar moves longitudinally, the camming action of the surfaces 501 and 502 against the roller studs acts to carry the bar down vertically against the pull of the springs 491. In this movement the bar is guided and constrained by vertically depending portions of the brackets 492 which cooperate with adjacent flat faces of the mounting blocks 494 and 49S to position the depressor bar accurately during its operation.

Vertical downward movement of the depressor bar correspondingly carries down with it the member 499 that is attached to the actuator arm 484, so that the shaft 315 is correspondingly rocked counterclockwise with respect to Figure to retract the conditioning elements. When the bar 489 is shifted manually from the handle 496 at the right hand side of the machine, it is cammed vertically downward to its fullest extent and this action is evidenced in a rocking of the shaft 315 to its fullest extent. Under these conditions, through the mechanism previously described, all the conditioning elements 60-63 are given maximum retraction and are depressed to a point at which they are substantially ush with the top surface of the control plate 59. In this position the conditioning elements are entirely withdrawn from the path of travel of the indexing members and the margin stops on the phase change control shaft 53 and are so positioned so that they are clear of any contact with or by any element of either the indexing members or margin stops when the control shaft 53 is rotated in the course of a phase changing operation.

Another highly important feature of the invention resides in mechanism for utilizing the energy of carriage impact of the indexing member lugs 57 against the tip 61 of the tabulator stop pawl to retain the stop pawl in its elevated carriage-arresting position until the carriage has settled accurately into the stop position defined by the tabulator pawl. In machine operation where a relatively wide space occurs between tabulator stop points, the impact of the indexing lugs 57 against the tabulator stop pawl is of considerable force, and ordinarily seme rebound of the carriage occurs. In the machine of this invention, when the tabulator stop pawl is projected into carriage-arresting position, mechanism also is actuated simultaneously to disengage the carriage rack from the carriage escapement, and when the pawl is retracted the same mechanism becomes effective to reengage the carriage rack with the escapement. It thus becomes highly important that the tabulator stop pawl be sustained in its elevated position until the carriage has settled from its rebound, because if the stop pawl were permitted to drop down before the carriage had settled back from its Iebound, the carriage rack would reengage the escapement at a point displaced relative to the stop point determined by the tabulator pawl. This would, of course, be highly detrimental to the proper printing function of the machine and would also affect the machine functions because the control lugs 57 of the indexing members would not then be properly positioned over the conditioning elements 60, 62 and 63.

The mechanism for sustaining the tabulator stop pawl in its elevated projected position includes a lever 517 that is pivoted intermediate its ends to oscillate in a horizontal plane on a pivot post 518 which is secured to and depends from the control plate 59. As best shown in Figure 2, the lever 517 extends longitudinally with respect to the machine and is provided at its forward end with an upturned lug 5l9 that engages a laterally directed ear 520 carried by the left hand end of the longitudinally shiftable bar 312. This bar 312, as previously explained herein, normally is biased by the spring 319 to shift longitudinally to the right with respect to Figures 7 and 8. Under the bias of the spring 319, when the shaft 297 is rocked to act through the arm 308 for elevation of the tabulator stop pawl, the elevated pawl is bodily shifted to dispose its shoulder 331 in latched engagement over the upper face of the control plate 59. The pawl remains in this position until its tip 61 is struck by the appropriate stop lug 57 on one of the indexing members 56. When the tabulator stop pawl is in its elevated and latched position the carriage rack is freed from engagement with the escapement. The striking force of the stop lug 57 carries the tabulator stop pawl bodily to the left with respect to Figures 7 and 8, so that the entire bar 312 is correspondingly shifted longitudinally to the left, In the course of this movement the left hand end of the bar 312, acting through its attached ear 520, rocks the lever 517 to movc its other end correspondingly inward. Said other end of the lever 517 has a pivoted connection 521 with the stern of a plunger 522 that forms an element of an air cushion dash pot 523 by which the striking force of the stop against the tabulator pawl is taken up. One element of the dash pot 523, such as the end section 524, is pivoted on a pintle 52S that is fixed to a rocker arm 526 which, in turn, is rigidly secured to the shaft 297 for rotation therewith. By virtue of thisl arrangement, the force of air compression in the dash pot acts to move the dash pot element 524 outwardly to impart to the arm 526 a sustaining action tending to rock the shaft 297 into the position which it already occupies by virtue of the elevation of the tabulator stop pawl. Accordingly, until the air compression within the dash pot is dissipated, c. sustaining force is applied through the shaft 297 to maintain the tabulator stop pawl in its raised position and also to maintain the carriage rack out of engagement with the escapement mechanism. This sustaining action continues suicientiy long to permit the carriage to settle fully from its rebound action, so that by the time the biasing force of the dash pot mechanism is expended the carriage will have assumed its accurate stop position or tne tabulator stop pawl will have been partially relatched. In the rebound movement of the carriage the disengagement of the stop lug 5'/ from the tabulator pawl permits the pawl to relatch itself under the bias of the spring 319, so that the carriage rack remains out of engagement with the escapement mechanism. Therefore, the carriage is free to move the pawl back to unlatched position in its settling movement, whereupon the pawl is retracted through the then effective force of the carriage rack 9 springs 322 which act to pull the carriage rack down into engagement with the escapement.

The sole support for the dash pot is derived from the pintle 525 and from the pivotal connection 521 of the dash pot stem to the rear end of the lever 517. A spring 527 connected between a point on the rocker 526 and a point on the dash pot serves to maintain the parts in proper position and thereby reduces friction of the stem 522 in its operation through the cap of the dash pot. The dash pot further is provided with a relief control valve means 528 of any suitable type by which the speed of operation may be regulated. When the bar 312 moves to the left, with respect to Figure 2, under the action of its biasing spring 319, the forward end of the lever 517 follows behind it by the pulling action of a contractile spring 529 that is connected between the end of the lever and an appropriate point of attachment on the machine frame.

A significant feature of the invention with relation to carriage operation resides in the cooperation of the tabulator stop pawl 61 with margin stops 477 that are mounted ou the phase change control shaft 53. These margin stops may be so arranged longitudinally along the shaft 53 as to definite margins within margins. It is thus possible to make a selective arrangement of any desired number of margined zones within the ultimate marginal stop limits o-f the carriage travel. In the normally retracted position of the tabulator stop pawl, as shown in Figure 7, its tip 61' is displaced from the path of travel of the stop lugs 57 on the indexing members, but the edge portions 311 and 311 of the pawl are disposed in the path of travel of the margin stops. By virtue of this arrangement the tabulator stop pawl is utilized to perform an additional function as a margin stop means. Whenever it is desiredy to pass the carriage beyond an interior margin stop point, as determined by the engagement of one of the margin stops against either the shoulder 311 or 311' of the tabulator stop pawl, the pawl may be retracted into a further and fully depressed position in which even its tip 61 is removed from the path of travel of the margin stops. This removal is accomplished by shifting the depressor bar longitudinally to its fullest extent by manipulation of the handle 496. This action lowers the depressor bar to its lowest permissible extent and, through the mechanism previously explained, carries all the conditioning elements including the tabulator stop pawl into completely lowered position where they are entirely displaced from any possibility of contact with the indexing members or the margin stops during longitudinal travel of the carriage or during rotation of the phase change control shaft in effecting a changeover of the machine from one phase of bookkeeping to another. After the carriage has passed thev inner margin stop point, due to the depression of the tabulator stop pawl, the depressor bar may be returned to its original position, whereupon the tabulator pawl is permitted to reestablish itself in its normal position as shown in Figure 7, so that it may engage a succeeding margin stop for further margin determination.

The machine conditioning elements, including the tabulator stop pawl, all have a normal range of movement incident to their normal operation in carrying out the functions of the machine. When these elements are operated under the motivating force of the depressor bar they are subjected to a movement of greater extent than that incurred in their normal operation. In every case, the component elements of the mechanism with which the conditioning elements are associated are so arranged that this further and greater movement is permissible without impairment to normal operation of the mechanism.

Although in the present disclosure the longitudinally shiftable depressor bar 484 has been illustrated and described as being mounted on the carriage, it is within the purview of this invention that the depressor bar may equally as well be disposed on some fixed portion of vthe machine. Its presence on the carriage is preferable from the standpoint of ready accessibility of the handle 496 with relation to the phase change control knob 5'5, irrespective of whatever position the carriage occupies when a phase changeover is to be made.

In the course of operation of the carriage, the dash pot mechanism, in conjunction with the normal operating mechanism of the tabulator stop pawl, positively insures that the carriage rack cannot be reengaged with its escapement at any point except precisely that which tis determined by operation of the tabulator pawl mechanism. So long as the carriage remains even minutely dlsplaced with respect to the predetermined stop point, it is impossible for the carriage rack to reengage the escapernent mechanism. The cooperation existing between the tabulator stop pawl and the margin stops on the carriage assembly enables any desired selective arrangement of margins within margins along the entire longitudinal extent of the carriage. The adjustability of the margin stops both longitudinally, and in positions rotated with respect to the phase change control shaft 53, makes possible a change in margin arrangement simultaneously with a change in the indexing means at each changeover of operating phase. Accordingly, both different pattern requirements incident to the various bookkeeping phases and different marginal determinations may be accomplished simultaneously and from the same operating control whenever a change of phase is effected.

Another broad aspect of the invention is that of utilization of energy derived from the carriage advancing means, or from the carriage in moving, to decelerate the rate of carriage movement in approaching a stop point that is predetermined by actuation of the tabulator stop pawl. The dash pot, acting through the tabulator stop pawl, bar 312, and lever 517, takes up the force of the carriage impact as soon as the ytabulator stop pawl begms to move out of its latched engagement with the plate 59 'and thus yieldingly opposes advancing movement of the carriage. It is, therefore, the po-wer of the carriage motoring means which is, in effect, turned upon itself, to decelerate the carriage in moving to a full stop.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the invention as claimed.

We claim:

1. A printing business machine having a traveling paper carriage, means to move said carriage, a tabulating mechanism comprising a series of tabular stops and a counter-stop projectable from a normal position in which 1t 1s not of the path of said tabular stops into a position in whichit is in the path of and engageable and movable by a tabular stop to decelerate and arrest said carriage 1n respective tabular positions, means to project said counter-stop from the former to the latter position, and an energy absorbing and dissipating means connected with said counter-stop to absorb the energy of the moving carriage upon movement of said counter-stop by a tabular stop and connected with said counter-stop projecting means to maintain said counter-stop in said projected position while said absorbed energy is being dissipated and said carriage comes to rest in exact tabular position.

2. A printing business machine having a traveling paper carriage, means to move said carriage, escapement mechanism normally holding said carriage against movement by said moving means but operable to cause stepby-stepmovement of said carriage, means to disengage said escapement mechanism to permit movement of said carriage independently thereof, a tabulating mechanism comprising a series of tabular stops and a counter-stop engageable and movable by a tabular stop to decelerate and arrest said carriage in respective tabular positions, means to disengage said escapement mechanism to enable said moving means to move said carriage to a tabular stop-determined position, and an energy absorbing and dissipating means connected with said counter-stop to absorb the energy of the moving carriage upon movement of said counter-stop by a tabular stop and connected with said escapement disengaging means to maintain said escapement disengaged while said absorbed energy is being dissipated and said carriage comes to rest in exact tabular position.

3. A printing business machine having a traveling paper carriage, means to move said carriage, escapement mechanism normally holding said carriage against movement by said moving means but operable to cause stepby-step movement of said carriage, means to disengage said escapement mechanism to permit movement of said carriage independently thereof, a tabulating mechanism comprising a series of tabular stops and a counter-stop projectable from a normal position in which it is out of the path of said tabular stops into a position in which it is in the path of and engageable and movable by a tabular stop to decelerate and arrest said carriage in respective tabular positions, means to project said counterstop from the former to the latter position and disengage said escapement mechanism to enable said moving means to move said carriage to a tabular-stop-determined position, and an energy absorbing and dissipating means connected with said counter-stop to absorb the energy of the moving carriage upon movement of said counter-stop by a tabular stop and connected with said counter-stop projecting and escapement disengaging means to maintain said counter-stop in said projected position and said escapement disengaged while said absorbed energy is being dissipated and said carriage comes to rest in exact tabular position.

4. A printing business machine having a traveling paper carriage, means to move said carriage, means engageable to hold said carriage against movement and dsengageable to permit movement of said carriage by said moving means, a tabulating mechanism comprising tabular stops and a counter-stop, means urging said holding means to and normally yieldingly maintaining it in engaged condition and urging said counter-stop to and normally yieldingly maintaining it in a position out of the path of said tabular stops, means to disengage said holding means and project said counter-Stop to a position in the path of said tabular stops Vwhere it is engageable and movable by a tabular stop to decelerate and arrest said carriage, means automatically latching said holding means in disengaged position and said counter-stop in projected position when projected thereto and releasable by movement of said counter-stop by a tabular stop as said carriage is arrested, and means operable by said counter-stop upon movement thereof by said tabular stop by a delay reengagement of said holding means and return of said counter-stop to normal position by said urging means until said carri-age settles into exact tabular-stop-determined position.

5. A printing business machine having a traveling paper carriage, means to move said carriage, escapement means normally holding said carriage against movement by said moving means, a rack mounted on said carriage for movement to couple it to and uncouple it from said escapement means, means yieldingly urging said rack to and normally maintaining it in coupled position, carriage tabulating means including tabular stops and a counterstop movable from a position out of the path of the tabular stops into said path for engagement and movement by a tabular stop to decelerate and arrest the carriage, means to move said counter-stop into said position in the path of said tabular stop, means connecting said counter-stop with said rack whereby said yielding means also urges said counter-stop to said position out of the path of Said tabular stops and said rack is moved to uncoupled position by movement of said counter-stop into the path of said tabular stops, means to latch said counter-stop in said position in the path of said tabular stops when moved thereto and thereby also latch said rack in uncoupled position, said latch means being releasable by movement of said counter-stop by a tabular stop upon arrest of the carriage, and means operable by said counter-stop upon said movement thereof -by said tabular stop to maintain said counter-stop in the path of said tabular stops and said rack in uncoupled position until said carriage settles into exact tabular-stop-determined position.

6. A printing business machine having a traveling paper carriage, means to move said carriage, a tabulating mechanism including tabular stops and a counter-stop, means urging said counter-stop to and normally yieldingly maintaining it in a position out of the path of said tabular stops, means to project said counter-stop from said normal position to a position in the path of said tabular stops for engagement and movement by a tabular stop to decelerate and stop said carriage, and an air cushion device having two relatively movable parts and restricted passage for the escape of air compressed between them, one of said parts being connected with said counter-stop for movement thereby to compress air between said parts upon movement of said counter-stop by a tabular stop and the other of said parts 'being connected with said projecting means to maintain said counter-stop in projected position until the pressure of the air between said parts is reduced to a predetermined value.

7. A printing business machine having a traveling paper carriage, means to move said carriage, a carriage escapement means operable to permit step-by-step movement of said carriage, a dsengageable coupling between said carriage and said escapement means, means to dis- `enage said coupling, a tabulating mechanism including tabular stops and a counter-stop engageable and movable by a tabular stop to decelerate and stop said carriage, and a fluid pressure device having a movable uid pressurizing member connected with said counter-stop for Huidpressurizing movement thereby upon movement of said counter-stop by a tabular stop and a uid pressure actuated member connected with said coupling disengaging means to maintain said coupling disengaged until said carriage comes to rest in accurate tabular-stop-determined position. f

8. A printing business machine having a traveling paper carriage, means to move said carriage, a carriage tabulating mechanism including tabular stops and a movable counter-stop, means urging said counter-stop to and normally yieldingly maintaining it in a position out of the path of said tabular stops, means to project said counterstop from said normal position to a position in the path of said tabular stops for engagement and movement by a tabular stop to decelerate and stop said carriage, and a luid pressure device having a movable uid pressurizing member connected with said counter-stop for tluid-pressurizing movement thereby upon movement of said counter-stop by a tabular stop and a uid pressure actuated member connected with said projecting means to maintain said counter-stop in said projecting position until said carriage comes to rest in accurate tabular-stop-determined position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,101,544 Hess June 30, 1914 1,516,685 Rinsche Nov. 25, 1924 1,722,768 Bache et al. Aug. 12, 1930 1,837,898 YCrumrine Dec. 22. 1931 

